Cloth-clamp for textile machinery.



WITNESSES %ZM%6 a. 09. @Z?

T. W. FRANCE. GLOTH CLAMP FOB. TEXTILE MACHINERY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1908.

Patented Dec. 14, 1909.

IIVVEIVTOR ATTORNEY THOMA s W- FRA ltlblllTlEft ETAT S ATENT OlFlFltQlE.

THOMAS W. FRANCE, 01? PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, AfSSIGNOR TO H. W. BUTTER- WORTI-I & SONS COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOTH-CLAMP FOR TEXTILE MACHINERY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14:, 19MB.

Application filed June 11, 1908. Serial No. 437,889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS lV. FRANCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Providence, in the county of Rrovidence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cloth-Clamps for T extlle Machinery, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to cloth clamps or clips for textile machinery, and has for its object to provide a clamp with a movable jaw that will automatically regulate or adjust itself to any unevenness in the cloth or material when gripping the same. It 1s found in the practical operation of clamps of this character in cloth tentering machines, that the aws must of necessity, under ordinary conditions, be in absolute alinement with each other in order to operate effectively.

The type of clamp now in general use is provided with a fixed lower jaw and an upper jaw pivotally mounted in a pair of arms to swing toward and from the gripping edge of the fixed jaw, said jaws being incapable of adjusting themselves to the unevennesses in the goods which they are called upon to grip in the tentering machine. Clips having spring actuated and controlled aws have been operated to some extent, but springs on any design. of clip to be used in a tentering machine are unsatisfactory and cannot be depended upon to securely grip and retain the cloth when under a heavy tension.

In carrying cloth through a tentering machine the ends of the separate pieces are usually connected together by means of a cross seam. The cloth is also often uneven in its thickness caused by knots, bunches, or the like, woven into the same, and when such a seam or bunch is gripped by the corner or end of a clamp having unyieldii'ig jaws it will be seen that great strain is brought to bear upon the jaw supporting arms which have a tendency to spring or twist and set the jaws out of alinemeut, thereby permanently destroying the clip rendering it unfit for further service. Then again, when one corner of this style of clip bites down upon a knot or bunch the thinner material at the opposite corner is not gripped and remains free, and as the chain proceeds on its travel through the machine to stretch the goods the ungripped portion in the clamp is gradually withdrawn bringing great strain upon the limited portion that is at the opposite corner, and not only causes an uneven stretching of the selvage, but sometimes tears the cloth and often allows the same to be withdrawn entirely from the clip. A similar effect is also apparent when the jaws are not in perfect aliuement one with the other.

The broad feature of my invention is to provide a clamp with a positive action having a swinging jaw adapted not only to move back and forth but which is pivotally mounted in the head and adapted to swing and adjust itself sidewise, whereby it will automatically accommodate itself to any unevennesses in the cloth and firmly grip and positively retain the same in its grasp, and when a seam or bunch gets under one corner of the jaw of this style of clip, said jaw readily swings on its pivot bringing the opposite edge of the aw also into engagement with the goods, whereby the same is firmly held at each end of the jaw effectively preventing the goods from being withdrawn therefrom.

Another practical feature of my improved construction is that the aw on account of its adaptability to rock or oscillate and present an adjustable biting edge, does not require such careful lining up as the old style clip, as said jaw will automatically adjust itself to match and be seated perfectly upon the fixed jaw although the latter may be considerably out of true alinement. Then again, after this aw has been tipped up to swing out of line with the fixed aw to more perfectly grip and securely hold fabric of uneven thicknesses, it will readily swing back again to its normal position and work as effectively as before.

This invention consists of these and other novel features as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the appended claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings: Figure 1is a front View of the clamp having its head or pivoting portion sectioned on line 11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2-is a side elevation of the clamp showmg the head or pivoting portion and the lower jaw and base plate in section.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the body portion or base plate of the clip, to the under side of which is fixed a link 2 of a tentering chain, as is customary. The forward edge of this base plate is preferably covered with a thin sheet of brass 3, or other suitable material, and is adapted to form the lower fixed jaw of the clip. This base plate is provided with a slot or opening 4 through which the controlling finger 5, which is piv otally hung in the bracket 5 on the swinging jaw, is adapted to work in the usual manner of said fingers. Curved supporting arm or arms 6 extend upward and forward from the rear of the base plate 1. The arm or arms 6 are provided with a reduced circular head 7 forming a trunnion or bearing which is provided at its base or inner end with a circular bearing flange 8. A hole or aperture 9 is formed through said trunnion or bearing, the same being provided with a flattened surface on its front side, as at 10. A collar, cap or ring 11 is adapted to fit over and turn upon said pivot 7, said collar being preferably provided with ears or bosses 1212 through which a hole is drilled for the reception of the pin 13, which pin is adapted to fit closely in said bearings and loosely in the hole 9 in the head, so that when the collar is in position on the pivot 7 and the pin passed therethrough the same may have a slight rocking movement on said pivot, the pin at the same time passing close to the flattened portion 10 in the hole 9 also serves to lock said collar in position on the pivot. I do not restrict myself to this particular mode of retaining the collar or cap upon the pivot as any suitable or convenient means may be employed for this purpose.

The usual upper aw 14 is pivotally hung on the pin 13 to swing back and forth in the usual way, its lower edge 15 being adapted to swing forward and bite the fabric, or other material to be stretched against the lower fixed jaw 3.

The broad feature of my invention is to mount the swinging jaw upon a pivot, trun nion, or other convenient or suitable device, whereby the same may receive a rocking or oscillatory motion so that one corner or edge of said jaw is adapted to rise out of line with the opposite jaw so as to automatically accommodate itself to any unevennesses in the fabric it may be called upon to grip, and also to adjust itself to any angle or position in which the lower aw may be set, and any means for accomplishing this purpose will come within the spirit and scope of my invention, one practical embodiment with modifications of the same having been herein illustrated and described without attempting to show all of the various forms in which my invention might be embodied.

My improved tentering clamp or clip is simple in construction and positive in its action, and on account of its adjustability and consequent effectiveness in gripping the material, the cloth operated upon by said clip in the tentering machine is evenly stretched and is not liable to be torn or damaged while passing therethrough.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A cloth clamp for textile machinery comprising a lower fixed jaw, a supporting arm or standard provided with a reduced circular head, an upper jaw, and means rotatably mounted on said head for supporting said upper jaw, the latter being pivotally mounted in its supporting means.

2. A cloth clamp for textile machinery comprising a lower fixed aw an upper jaw,

a supporting arm, a pivot plnon said arm,-

a collar engaging said pivot and adapted to rotate thereon, and means for pivotally connecting said upper jaw to said collar.

3. A cloth clamp for textile machinery comprising a lower fixed jaw, an upper jaw, a supporting arm, a pivot pin on said arm, a collar engaging said pivot and adapted to rotate thereon, means for pivotally connecting said upper jaw to said collar, and means for locking said collar to said pivot.

4. A cloth clamp for textile machinery comprising'a lower fixed jaw, an upper jaw, a supporting arm, a pivot pin on said arm, a collar engaging said pivot and adapted to rotate thereon, a pin passing through said collar and said pivot on which said upper jaw is adapted to swing, and means for looking said collar to said pivot.

5. A cloth clamp for textile machinery comprising a lower fixed aw, an upper jaw, a supporting arm, a pivot pin on said arm, a collar engaging saidpivot and adapted to rotate thereon, a pin passing through said collar and said pivot on which said upper jaw is adapted to swing, and means whereby said pin is adapted to lock said collar to said pivot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS W. FRANCE.

WVitnesses HOWARD E. BARLow, E. I. OGDEN. 

